Kyoto: Best Things to Do

Photo by : Pixabay (Michelle Maria )

Kyoto is one of Japan's largest cities

This city is once the capital of Japan before it's moved to Tokyo

Kyoto has some interesting places such as Fushimi-Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, and many classical Buddhist temples

Yudofu is a must-try food in Kyoto

Don’t forget to try Japanese alcohol called Sake

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SIGHTSEEING

Nijo Castle has to be one of the most popular tourist attractions. This flatland castle consists of two palaces, Ninomaru Palace and Honmaru Palace, supported by several buildings and gardens. It's open from 8:45 AM to 4 PM. This place can be the best option for sightseeing.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle has to be one of the most popular attractions in the eyes of tourists

This flatland castle consists of two palaces, Ninomaru Palace and Honmaru Palace, supported by several buildings and gardens

Address : 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan

DOWNTOWN

If you are looking for popular destination in downtown, Shijo Kawaramachi is the answer. Tourists can find department stores, boutiques, old-fashioned shops that sells kimonos and other traditional Japanese clothes.

Shijo Kawaramachi

Enjoy walking at the downtown of the city, Shijo Kawaramachi

This place is the busiest retail area fiiled with department stores, boutiques, old-fashioned shops that sells kimonos and calligraphy

Address : Inaricho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8022, Japan

SHOPPING

Nishiki Market is a local market located in downtown Kyoto. It's where tourists can buy Kyoto's popular local foods and products made by local artists. Nishiki Market is open from Monday to Saturday at 9AM to 5:30PM.

FOOD & DRINK

Yudofu (Yu Tofu) is one of the most popular foods in Japan. This food is cooked in hot Kombu water (dried kelp) typically served with tangy Ponzu sauce for dipping. Sake and Matcha are the best drinks in Kyoto. Sake is known as Japanese alcohol while Matcha is a grinding Japanese green tea leaves perfect to cure your thirst.

CULTURE

Kyoto is considered as the cultural capital of Japan and also a major tourist destination. Tourists will find numerous Buddhist temples, shrines, gardens and festivals. The official language of Kyoto is Japanese.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Kyoto. Although summer can be uncomfortably hot, wet, and humid, Japanese festival season is usually held during this time.

HOTEL

Monterey Kyoto is one of the recommended hotels to stay. This hotel has common hotel facilities but with a luxury restaurant and a spa. This hotel is only 6-minute walk from Karasuma train station. You can also book a room at Kyoto Tokyu Hotel. This hotel has many things to offer such as fitness center, massage, walking tour, Chinese and Japanese restaurants, and many more.

Monterey Kyoto

A modern-looking hotel named Monterey Kyoto is one huge building for you to stay

Serving you some of the best hotel experience like unfussy rooms with colorful touches, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges, a sleek restaurant plus a spa

Address : 604 Manjuyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8161, Japan

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel

Centrally located, this other hotel is the next best recommendation for you

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel has many things to offer you; fitness center, massage, walking tour, hairstyling, Chinese and Japanese restaurants and many more

Address : Japan, 〒600-8519 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 五条下ル柿本町580

RESTAURANT

Okonomiyaki Katsu is a restaurant that serves home cooked cuisines with wonderful service and reasonable price. This restaurant is located near the city’s tourist attractions. You don’t want to miss the taste of real Kyoto food at Saishuan Shiraki restaurant. It's a simple-looking restaurant serving authentic taste.

Okonomiyaki Katsu

This restaurant stands near many of the city’s attractions

A 5-minute wall will lead you to temples that are world heritage sites

Okonomiyaki Katsu is a restaurant that serves home cooked meal with wonderful service and decent price

Address : 1-4 Ryoanji Saigucho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8011, Japan

Saishuan Shiraki

You don’t want to miss the taste of real Kyoto-style food here at Saishuan Shiraki restaurant, a simple-looking restaurant with the lovely services

Address : Funaya-cho 420-3, Kyoto, 604-0985, Japan

CAFE

Ever wonder how Japanese’s coffee tastes like? Come to Kurasu Kyoto to try its coffee. This cafe also sells merchandise perfect for your souvenirs. For another recommended cafe, there is Café Bibiotic Hello! Have a quiet moment and enjoy Japanese croissant here. Guests can read books served by the owner.

Kurasu Kyoto

Ever wondered how Japanese’s coffee taste like? Come to the specialty coffee of Kyoto at Kurasu Kyoto, simply setting-café with good hospitality

Address : 552 Higashiaburanokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8235, Japan

Café Bibiotic Hello!

A very simple-looking café is called Café Bibiotic Hello! Have a quiet moment and enjoy Japanese croissant here

Shelves full of books is a bonus for the simplicity of the café

Address : 650 Seimeicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0951, Japan

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

Get ready to experience a high-quality cocktail at L’Escamoteur. This bar is so crowded on the queue but it's worth the wait. Another recommendation for you is Bar Fishbowl Kyoto. This bar has an incredible selection of whiskey and Japanese craft beer. Make your best night here with the friendly owner.

L’Escamoteur

Get ready to experience a high-quality cocktail at L’Escamoteur

Amazing staff and friendly vibes

The place is full with people line up, but the wait is definitely worth it

Address : 138-9 Saitocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8012, Japan

Bar Fishbowl Kyoto

This other recommendation for you is Bar Fishbowl Kyoto

This bar has an incredible selection of whiskey and Japanese craft beer

Make your best night here with the friendliness of the owner named Jessy

Address : Empire building 7th floor sanjo kiyamachi agaru, Kyoto, 605-0025, Japan

INTERESTING PLACE

Fushimi-Inari Shrine is one of the oldest and most historical landmarks in Kyoto. Visit the ancient temples and burn your calories, as this place has 10000 gates and 12000 steps to climb. Isn't that interesting? Complete your tour by visiting one of the famous attractions in Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji. It's a Buddhist temple known as one of the most popular buildings in Japan.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is a beautiful complex of shrine in Japan

You will need to hike to reach the shrine. So, bring enough water

You can get some Japanese street foods at the entrance

Address : 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan

Kinkaku-ji

Complete your tour by visiting one of the famous attractions in Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji.

A Buddhist temple with a gold facade set amid landscaped garden with a reflective pond.

Known as one of the most popular buildings in Japan.

Address : 1 Kinkakujichō, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan

INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

Located at Kibune Village, Kifune Shrine is one of the best places for your Instagram pictures. The shrine is best known for its red lantern lined stairs which is the bridge to the main hall of the shrine. End your journey here by visiting one of the most famous places in Japan, Kiyomizudera Temple. This temple is known for its main hall with a large open-air wooden terrace with a great overlook view of Kyoto city. Take many pictures and let the city be the background of it.

Kifune Shrine

Located at Kibune Village, Kifune Shrine is one of the best places for you to take pictures

The shrine is best known for its red lantern lined stairs which is an approach to the main hall of the shrine

Address : 180 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112, Japan

Kiyomizudera Temple

End your journey here by visiting one of the most famous places in Japan, Kiyomizudera Temple

This temple is known for its main hall with a large open-air wooden terrace with a great overlook view of Kyoto city

Address : 294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan